After the elephant, today we have another representative of the savanna: the lion. Majestic and strong—that's how we know this proud animal. Its home is in Africa, where it reigns as the apex predator, feeding primarily on antelopes, wildebeest, buffalo, and zebras. Many people love lions because they're considered strong, courageous, and beautiful. Are you also a fan of this magnificent creature? Then you'll definitely enjoy today's drawing lesson!

The subject matter isn't the simplest—you might need several attempts before your lion looks truly impressive. But with a self-drawn lion, you'll definitely make an impact, so it's absolutely worth the effort!

Pro Tip: Would you like to paint a lion but don't know where to start? Paint a lion with our lion paint by numbers collection. Swynk is your expert in providing paint by numbers designs for adults and children.

You can also choose to have your custom paint by numbers created from your own photo of your cat or any big cat!

How to Draw a Lion

We've included detailed visual examples at the bottom of this article to guide you through each step.

Step 1: Basic Shapes

Begin with an oval for the body and a smaller circle for the head. These basic shapes form the foundation of your lion drawing. The oval should be horizontally oriented, representing the lion's muscular torso. Position the head circle slightly overlapping the body oval at one end.

Step 2: Positioning the Limbs

Draw small circles at equal distances to mark where the lion's paws will be positioned. These guide circles help maintain proper proportions. Also add two triangular ears on top of the head circle and a small circle for the nose in the center of the face. The ear placement is crucial—lions have relatively small, rounded ears compared to their massive heads.

Step 3: Joint Placement

Four additional circles will form the lion's joints (shoulders and hips). Pay special attention to the spacing and positioning—incorrect placement will make the legs look unnatural later. The front shoulder joints should be positioned higher than the hip joints to capture the lion's characteristic powerful front stance.

Step 4: Mane and Leg Details

The mane can be drawn freely with a jagged, flowing outline—this is where you can express the lion's wild nature! Male lions have impressive manes that frame their entire head and extend down to their chest. The legs, however, require precision. Connect the joint circles with curved lines to create muscular, powerful limbs. Lions have incredibly strong legs built for both sprinting and taking down large prey.

Step 5: Refinement and Outlining

Once you're satisfied with all the legs, erase the guide circles—you no longer need them. If you're happy with your sketch, carefully trace over it with a black fineliner or pen. This creates clean, professional-looking lines. Then erase all the pencil marks for a crisp, finished drawing. Add details like whiskers, eye details, and fur texture in the mane.

Step 6: Coloring Your Lion

Want to bring your lion to life with color? The best approach is using two different shades of brown: a light brown and a dark brown. You can also use yellow for the base body color. If using colored pencils, you can easily layer a thin coating of brown over the yellow to achieve a beautiful golden-brown—the iconic color of African lions. The mane typically appears darker than the body, ranging from light brown to nearly black in some mature males.

Pro Coloring Tips:

• Use golden yellow for the base coat of the body
• Apply darker browns for shadows under the belly and legs
• The mane can range from blonde to dark brown—older males tend to have darker manes
• Add white highlights to the chest and inner ears
• The nose should be pink or dark brown/black
• Eyes are typically golden or amber colored

Continue reading below the image for more detailed instructions.

Lion Drawing with Visual Examples

Understanding Lion Anatomy for Better Drawings

To draw a convincing lion, it helps to understand their unique anatomy:

• Head: Lions have broad, powerful heads with prominent jaw muscles
• Eyes: Forward-facing eyes for binocular vision, essential for hunting
• Mane: Only male lions have manes, which vary in color and size based on age and genetics
• Body: Muscular and lean, built for both power and agility
• Legs: Powerful hind legs for jumping and sprinting (up to 50 mph!)
• Tail: Long with a distinctive tuft at the end, used for balance and communication
• Paws: Large with retractable claws, perfect for gripping prey

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mane Too Small: The mane should be voluminous and frame the entire head
2. Legs Too Thin: Lions have powerful, muscular legs—don't make them too delicate
3. Wrong Proportions: The head should be proportionate to the body—not too large or small
4. Static Pose: Even when resting, lions have a sense of coiled energy
5. Forgetting the Tuft: The tail tuft is a distinctive lion feature

Different Lion Drawing Styles

Realistic Style:

Focus on accurate anatomy, detailed fur texture, and proper shading. Study reference photos of real lions to capture their true essence.

Cartoon Style:

Exaggerate features like the mane and eyes. Simplify the body shapes and use bold, bright colors.

Geometric Style:

Break the lion down into angular shapes and patterns. This modern approach creates striking, stylized artwork.

Paint Your Own Lion Masterpiece

If you're ready to move beyond drawing and into painting, explore our extensive lion paint by numbers collection featuring designs like:

• Beautiful Lion - A stunning portrait of a majestic male
• Lions in Love - A romantic scene of a lion pair
• Colored Lion - An artistic, vibrant interpretation
• Lion with Baby - A touching parent and cub scene

Or create your own unique lion artwork with our custom paint by numbers service—perfect for turning your safari photos or favorite lion images into paintable masterpieces!

Fun Lion Facts to Inspire Your Art

• A lion's roar can be heard from 5 miles away
• Lions are the only cats that live in groups (prides)
• A lion's mane protects their neck during fights
• Lions sleep up to 20 hours a day
• Female lions do most of the hunting
• The darker a lion's mane, the older and stronger he typically is

Take Your Lion Art to the Next Level

Whether you're sketching your first lion or painting a detailed portrait, remember that practice makes perfect. Every artist started with basic shapes and gradually developed their skills. Lions are challenging subjects, but they're also incredibly rewarding to master.

For more animal drawing inspiration, explore our complete animal paint by numbers collection featuring everything from domestic cats to wild safari animals.

Remember: The king of the jungle deserves your best effort! Take your time with each step, and don't be afraid to try again if your first attempt isn't perfect. Every great artist has drawn countless practice lions before creating their masterpiece!

Share your lion drawings and paintings with #SwynkLionArt - we love celebrating your creative journey!